Second City, Chicago: Hours, Address, Second City Reviews: 4.5/5
Second City
Second City
4.5
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
The Second City is the world's premiere comedy theatre offering the best in Chicago-style sketch and improv comedy every night of the week and has launched the careers of Tina Fey, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and many, many others. First, let’s define a few terms so we’re all on the same page. Sketch comedy is scripted, well-rehearsed scenes that we never, ever call “skits.” (And most of us are mighty touchy about that one. Improv is the unscripted, spontaneous, collaborative art form Second City is famous for. Stand-Up is the classic one-comic-on-stage-with-a-mic-telling-jokes routine. Think Jerry Seinfeld against a brick wall. Typically, any stand-up performances at Second City happen in the UP Comedy Club. A classic Second City revue is made up of original sketches and songs sprinkled with a healthy dose of our world-famous improv. Second City productions are fully written and rehearsed, but no two shows are ever the same.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: North Side
How to get there
- Sedgwick • 5 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
4,008 within 5 kms

Nookies Wells
426
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Diner

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0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

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495
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Barbecue

Adobo Grill
294
66 m$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Latin • Vegetarian Friendly

The VIG Chicago
122
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly

The J. Parker
184
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly

Orso's Restaurant
193
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options

La Fournette
91
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • French • Cafe

Elaine's Coffee Call
123
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Gluten Free Options

Old Town Pour House
124
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Attractions
574 within 10 kms

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19 mSpeciality Museums

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35
0.2 kmReligious Sites
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0.1 kmArt Galleries

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1,165
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0.3 kmCemeteries

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1.1 kmParks

North Avenue Beach
257
0.9 kmBeaches

The Magnificent Mile
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2.1 kmNeighbourhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
1,662 reviews
Excellent
1,067
Very good
331
Average
115
Poor
55
Terrible
94
Elizabeth T
New Market, MD4 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Great comedy club!! We took our college aged daughter and her roommates. We all had a blast and laughed they the whole show.
Written 12 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SeeTheW0rld62
Sunnyvale, CA1,320 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
This was our first time to Second City and it was great. The theater we were in was intimate which we liked. The 5 performers were incredibly funny. We liked the format. It was an evening full of laughs and exceeded our expectations.
Written 1 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Docsam
St. Petersburg, FL118 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
After forking out $99 per person for VIP seats for the Friday 7pm show of the ‘Best Decision You Ever Made’, I was looking forward to a fun evening. Hadn’t been to one of the Second City’s performance for 4 years because of the pandemic. What a let down! Starting with the improv comedians, amateurs at best. One, maybe two deserved to be on stage, the others were practically useless when audience participation required them to significantly deviate from their script. Second, the so called audience participation was just perfunctory. The choices offered to the audience had minimal impact on the script to be delivered and when they did, they usually fell flat. The worst however, was the actual content and theme of the whole show. Glorifying the black life matters, depicting racist issues and promoting acceptance of LGBQ issues was the agenda. A modicum of political jokes included a short skit of Biden’s blunders that wa just mildly funny. Very few genuine laughs from the audience throughout. Their so called finale was to ask who in the audience was identifying themselves as Queer and getting them to perform a little dance and get forced applause What would really have been better was to make fun of all these issues and their excesses rather than trying to promote and glorify them. 2 stars for effort but I won’t be back for at least another 5 years. If you absolutely have to go, don’t pay top price. Definite waste of money and time.
Written 30 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ChrisandHolli
Taipei, Taiwan154 contributions
Nov 2021
They do comedy right. Nice to see talented people sharing their skills with us. We did s pass-thru trip in Chicago and booked this as a last minute thing. Glad we did this.
Show up early to get a good table.
Show up early to get a good table.
Written 25 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cody C
4 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Absolutely hilarious. We are in our late 20's, not into theater or anything like that, and this was so much fun. We spent about a week in the city and this experience was definitely the highlight of the trip. The drinks are very pricey, but it kind of is expected. Comedy was relevant and in very funny. I think a few of them have a real shot to make it to the next level!
Written 30 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
srvctraveler
Denver, CO31 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
A great night out. Hilarious comedy and lively experience. The speed of the improvisation was amazing. Theater is comfortable and service excellent.
Written 26 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sarah T
Manchester, UK52 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
We had such a good time at this show this week. Everyone was in fits of laughter. So good to be back enjoying live comedy after such a long time.
The group were hilarious, we get to see some other work they wanted to showcase for us. The show was full, service was great.
The group were hilarious, we get to see some other work they wanted to showcase for us. The show was full, service was great.
Written 17 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Angela Holtz
Dallas, TX450 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
Amazing experience at Second City! We arrived about 35 minutes or so early. Had our vacc card, ID and tickets ready to show. Process was smooth to enter. Friendly staff. The website read mask were required. I would say about 50% wore them, 50% did not.
So, I would recommend bringing one just in case. The food was good for ‘bar’ food. I had wine, my son had a mix drink. He said it was good. Not weak as mentioned in some reviews.
But if you’re going for just the food or drinks, remember this is a sketch comedy club. You’re there to be entertained…to watch a show. Maybe eat before you go if that’s a concern. We were most definitely entertained. The people we saw the evening we went will for sure go on to be stars! So glad we decided to go!
So, I would recommend bringing one just in case. The food was good for ‘bar’ food. I had wine, my son had a mix drink. He said it was good. Not weak as mentioned in some reviews.
But if you’re going for just the food or drinks, remember this is a sketch comedy club. You’re there to be entertained…to watch a show. Maybe eat before you go if that’s a concern. We were most definitely entertained. The people we saw the evening we went will for sure go on to be stars! So glad we decided to go!
Written 14 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jessica S
Lockport, NY22 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
The cast was amazing! So fun and funny. A small intimate setting where you felt like you were in the show, and some audience members were! Everyone had a great time!
Written 7 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Staplesview
Vero Beach, FL9 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
The show was fun!
Contrary to the website, the only food is bar appetizers. We ordered wings and pretzels. Both came burnt. The drinks were weak.
Eat before you come and order beer- the actors are amazing
Contrary to the website, the only food is bar appetizers. We ordered wings and pretzels. Both came burnt. The drinks were weak.
Eat before you come and order beer- the actors are amazing
Written 12 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sharon S
Houston, TX2 contributions
Which show did you see? We need help picking a show. Some reviews here on trip advisor are terrible but I think some depends on what they saw.
Kim K
Navarre, FL104 contributions
There is an add on for Roots Pizza dinner package. It requires reservations but neither Roots or the reservation app has this restaurant as an option to reserve. Has anyone tried this place? Would you recommend eating before a show?
Does the show still trash Trump?
kataril
Uppsala, Sweden282 contributions
I don’t know how they do now, but they sure did in september 2019.
TexasDenise
New Braunfels, TX3 contributions
What are rail tickets?
Laura
Miami Beach, FL189 contributions
You are seated on high tops along a rail with a narrow counter where you can place your drinks or food.
jbhambrice
Fort Riley, KS2 contributions
Hi, thanks for the Second City review on TripAdvisor. Can you tell me which show you saw? We are going on Sat, May 4th and, there are 2 different show names that night; one is called "Algorithm Nation or the Status Quo" and one is called "The Second City e.t.c.'s 43rd Revue". Which is the better one?
Thanks...Jeff
dennislee52
Dayton, OH126 contributions
43rd review
Awarmstrong12
Arlington Heights, IL130 contributions
Is show ok for teenagers?
Whitney S
Demorest, GA111 contributions
It depends on how mature the teen is. For older teens, it’s probably okay. But the humor is sometimes crude and it could be awkward to sit through with your child. Hope this helps!
Pamela06062015
Columbus, OH9 contributions
What time should we be there for a 7 p.m. show?
jgbtravels
Louisville, KY2,573 contributions
It used to be that first come first seated, however, now you should have reserved seating. They open the doors an hour before showtime. I usually get there 45 minutes to an hour early especially if you are driving. If you are driving there is a small lot across the street that’s easier to get in and out of. Parking isn’t cheap in Chicago. Uber or cab saves you the worry of driving there if you are at a hotel in the loop. Enjoy.
phillipbeardfanclub
Brooklyn, NY
Is there a gift shop?
babyboy7
Plaquemine, LA179 contributions
You get a souvenir glass with your drink. They sell shirts at the box office
Dress code?
lileemai
Cincinnati, OH369 contributions
Whatever you want. There was a variety of dress when we went. From casual to those on dates.
Frequently Asked Questions about Second City
- Second City is open:
- Sun - Sun 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Mon - Thu 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Fri - Fri 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM
- Sat - Sat 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
- Hotels near Second City:
- (0.18 km) Hansen House Mansion Guest House
- (0.42 km) Hotel Lincoln
- (0.62 km) The Sono Chicago
- (0.28 km) Stan Properties Suites at 1730 N Clark
- (0.80 km) Ambassador Chicago
- Restaurants near Second City:
- (0.01 km) Roots Handmade Pizza
- (0.02 km) Utopian Tailgate
- (0.02 km) Corcoran's Grill and Pub
- (0.02 km) Chipotle Mexican Grill
- (0.04 km) Starbucks
- Attractions near Second City:
- (0.02 km) Hideseek
- (0.05 km) UP Comedy Club
- (0.05 km) ComedySportz Chicago
- (0.06 km) Corcoran's Grill and Pub
- (0.21 km) Chicago Food Planet